Facebook status update foils armed robbery in South Africa

A South African woman stopped a home invasion by updating her Facebook status, alerting friends who called police and security guards.

JOHANNESBURG — A South African woman stopped an armed robbery at her home near Pretoria, the capital, by updating her Facebook status, according to reports.

Two men broke into the home of Lizette Langeveld in the town of Centurion, demanding money, jewelry and keys to the safe. They physically assaulted the 43-year-old mother, stole her mobile phone and threatened to rape her, the Beeld newspaper reported Monday.

The robbers then tied Langeveld up in a bedroom with her 10-year-old son, and said they would wait for her husband to return home and kill him.